In Friday night’s season opener at Pembroke Pines Charter, the Sharks handled a preliminary test with ease.

Gulf Coast scored 49 first-half points off six Jaguars turnovers as it rolled to a 63-6 victory.

“We see Naples in the district, and Naples runs a triple option,” Fominaya said. “We try to schedule as many (similar teams) as we can so the kids get used to seeing them before we play them.

“We improved from last week, and that’s our goal every week.”

Last week went pretty well for the Sharks, too, as Gulf Coast cruised to a 62-0 win against Coral Park in the preseason Kickoff Classic.

On Friday, senior running back Gage Rion ran for three touchdowns and sophomore Daniel Rendon added a pair of rushing TDs as the Sharks blew the game open with a 35-point second quarter. The quarter included a 40-yard punt return from Lukas Masterson, who also returned one of four Jaguars fumbles 75 yards for a first-quarter score.

“They gave us great field position,” said Rion, who had an efficient 53 yards on six carries. “They allowed us to get easy scores at the beginning of the game and get the tempo set up.”

The Sharks’ first touchdown came after Zach Lang returned a fumble to the Jaguars 6.

Pembroke Pines Charter, which trailed 49-0 after three quarters and 56-0 after Rion’s third TD with 7:15 to play in the game, finally got on the board with 3:30 left. Albert Ramos intercepted Nathan Elgin, the third QB to take a turn behind center for the Sharks, and three plays later, Joey Valentin punched in a 3-yard touchdown.

Gulf Coast starting junior quarterback Jordan Falls was 5-for-9 for 49 yards and a TD in the first half, including a 23-yard strike to Jonathan Villar in the second quarter.

Though impressed with his players’ progress, Fominaya is reserving judgment until his team gets into the meat of its schedule.

“It comes down to Collier County teams. That’s what it’s all about,” he said. “There’s a reason why we’re one of the best counties in the state, because every week you get challenged. That’s when we’ll see what kind of team we’re going to be.”

GULF COAST 63, PEMBROKE PINES CHARTER 6

GC 14 35 7 7 — 63

PPC 0 0 0 6 — 6

SCORING

First quarter

GC – Rion 1 run (Garrison kick), 4:21

GC – Masterson 75 fumble return (Garrison kick), :20

Second quarter

GC – Delve 38 fumble return (Garrison kick); 11:12

GC – Villar 23 pass from Falls (Garrison kick); 10:55

GC – Rendon 6 run (Garrison kick); 8:37

GC – Masterson 40 punt return (Garrison kick); 5:58

GC – Rion 8 run (Garrison kick); 5:14

Third quarter

GC – Rion 6 run (Garrison kick); 7:15

Fourth quarter

PPC – Valentin 3 run (kick failed); 9:30

GC – Rendon 68 run (Garrison kick); 3:30

Copyright 2014 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Want to participate in the conversation? Log in or become a subscriber today. Subscribers can read and comment on any story, anytime. Non-subscribers will only be able to view comments on select stories.